HOUSTON, May 21 (Reuters) - The lead contractor building

a Texas liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant for QatarEnergy

and Exxon Mobil ( XOM ) on Tuesday filed for Chapter

11 bankruptcy protection, citing challenges at the project.

Zachry Holdings, which held the lion's share of

the $10 billion construction project called Golden Pass LNG,

said it was pursuing a "structured exit." Exxon said it would

review construction timing and provide an update in the future.

Golden Pass LNG is a former gas-import terminal that has

converted to process natural gas for LNG exports. It was

scheduled to start production of the superchilled gas during the

first half of 2025.

"We, along with the other stakeholders, are considering all

available options to implement a smooth transition and minimize

any impacts," an Exxon spokesperson said. "We plan to continue

to fully support Golden Pass LNG through completion."

Exxon, which owns a 30% stake in the project, said earlier

this year that it expected first LNG production in the first

half of 2025.

"Because we have been unable to find a path forward, we have

been forced to take action to protect our business," John

Zachry, CEO of the San Antonio, Texas-based company, said in a

statement on Tuesday.

Golden Pass LNG had warned earlier this month of possible

impacts on construction of the first three trains of the

project, which was designed to produce up to 18 million metric

tons per annum of LNG. The project is one of two large LNG

export plants that had been expected to expand U.S. exports in

the next 12 months.

The United States is the largest exporter of LNG.

Zachry's share of the project was valued at $5.8 billion.